Irn-Bru could see strike action escalated at A.G Barr's distribution centre in Cumbernauld over on-going pay disputes.

Drivers have been considering industrial action since August after rejecting the offer of a 5% pay increase from the company.

It comes as the soft drinks giant pre-tax profits were up 12.6 % to £27.8 million over the first six months of this year.

Now Unite, the UK’s leading union, has today confirmed that talks are scheduled with A.G. Barr tomorrow [Thursday, October 5] in a bid to finally make a breakthrough in the pay dispute.

Unite represents truck and shunter drivers who are essential to the supply of the company’s world-renowned products including Irn-Bru - one of the nation’s most popular soft drinks.

If there is no breakthrough in these discussions, Unite has stated that its members will participate in further stoppages on 13 and 16 October, and then from 20 to 30 October.

The workers are already scheduled to resume strike action from midnight on Friday, October 6.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said: “A.G. Barr is refusing to make our members a fair pay offer despite announcing that pre-tax profits have jumped to £27.8m for the first six months of this year.

We are dealing with a company where profits are overflowing. Yet it is still trying to force a significant real terms pay cut on our members.

“This is completely unacceptable. Unite is backing our members all the way in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Last week, A.G. Barr reported interim results for the first six months of 2023.

Pre-tax profits were up 12.6 per cent to £27.8 million over the first six months of this year, while revenue increased by 33.2 per cent from £157.9m (26 weeks to 31 July 2022) to £210.4m over the same period this year.

The current A.G. Barr chief executive, Roger White, recently announced his retirement from the position within the next 12 months.

Unite says that the pay dispute could be settled at a cost amounting to a fraction of Mr White’s last bonus payout of £462,000. Mr White’s current total remuneration package stands at £1.78m.

Andy Brown, Unite industrial officer, added: “A.G. Barr is a cash rich company with tens of millions sitting in the bank and it has no problem showering the boardroom with massive pay-outs.

“The five per cent pay offer on the table represents a significant real terms pay cut. Our members help make A.G. Barr the profits it is amassing and they deserve more.

“AG Barr must use the opportunity of Acas talks to find a positive resolution to this dispute before there is any further escalation.

“There is no doubt this dispute has significantly tarnished the company’s reputation.”